Posts Tagged ‘code line’

[Editor’s note: The 1.1 update is out for Color Expert, the interactive color wheel and swatch library that helps artists and designers identify, translate, capture and showcase color (iPhone + iPod Touch @ $10 or free update). New feature include top-level option to snap a picture and a utility that auto-extracts swatches from photos. Also adds sending of ASE files to open up your swatches in Adobe Create Suite desktop apps and CMYK values. Thanks Matheau!]

The quick to inspire Image Picker extracts dominant colors from any photo you throw at it—from your library or from your camera. Choose from the top 16 hits, or drag the screen to add your own colors, loupe and all. Color palettes include values for RGB, CMYK and Library values.

[Editor’s note: I originally promoted SneakPeek Pro back in March of 2008. It’s a great tool for Mac users to see what your design files look like, their fonts, images, and colors without opening them while staying in the Finder. Now new and improved for CS4 versions supports updated Illustrator and InDesign file formats.]

Code Line has announced its Art Files and SneakPeek Pro now compatible with Adobe Creative Suite 4. Art Files is a stand-alone application that helps users gather and package Illustrator documents, linked images, and fonts for graphics files, which in turn can be archived, shared, or printed off. The software is designed for production artists who work with graphics files, and features the ability to collect several documents at once to help minimize the time spent organizing.

SneakPeek Pro is a QuickLook plugin that allows users to preview Illustrator, InDesign, EPS and Freehand documents without having to launch an application. In addition, people can also view fonts, images and colors that are used in CS3 and CS4 documents.

Art Files is compatible with Mac OS X 10.4 or higher and is priced at $50, while SneakPeek Pro requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later and costs $20. Code Line also offers a bundle pack of both Art Files and SneakPeek Pro that is priced at $60. Any pre-existing users can download the update for free.

[Editor’s note: I helped Matheau at Code Line beta test his Color Expert app for the iPhone and I’m pleased to see it’s getting good press (over at MacFormat it is the iPhone app of the month for Dec 2008). Think of Color Expert as Adobe kuler for the iPhone but with the mobile ability to start color color schemes based on the world arround you. Point the iPhone’s camera, tap the image, and walla! A whole new custom color wheel scheme, which can be emailed back to your computer in swatch file format directly importable into Adobe desktop apps. Or shared and modifed with your client at a job site. Color Expert still needs better support for CMYK and ability to snap to RGB and CMYK color library, not just Pantone. And I really like Mordy’s idea about shaking Color Expert to come up with new color schemes But the app works well and unlike any other tool for the iPhone and at the introductory price of $9.99 is a steal. And the 1.1 update addressing some of my gripes will of course be free.]

Designers know inspiration can come anywhere at anytime. Just look around. Some of the best ideas are waiting for you in the real world away from the studio. Now with Color Expert, you’ll have the tools to capture the moment, the moment a color captures you.

DESIGN WHILE IT’S FRESH

Look down. See the color of that Pomegranate in your cart? Go get it. It’d be perfect for the project you’ve been working on. Whip out Color Expert and it tells you that shade is PANTONE® solid coated PANTONE 220 C. The interactive color wheel then finds the perfect color schemes and palettes to match. Now, email that color scheme to your friends or clients. But, you might not want to tell them you’re still in the check-out line.

Whether designing, decorating or accessorizing, Color Expert is indispensable for anyone working with color. Anywhere. Anytime.